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say

1. Trial by sample; assay; sample; specimen; smack. if those principal works of god . . . Be but certain tastes and saus, as if were, of that final benefit. (hooker) Thy tongue some say of breeding breathes. (Shak)

2. Tried quality; temper; proof. he found a sword of better say. (Spenser)

3. Essay; trial; attempt. To give a say at, to attempt.

Origin: Aphetic form of assay.

1. A kind of silk or satin. Thou say, thou serge, nay, thou buckram lord! (Shak)

2. A delicate kind of serge, or woolen cloth. His garment neither was of silk nor say. (Spenser)

Origin: OE. Saie, F. Saie, fr. L. Saga, equiv. To sagum, sagus, a coarse woolen mantle; cf. Gr. See Sagum.